One of Stephanie Schlatter’s favorite quotes is by theologian Saint Augustine and reads, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
If true, then globe-trotting Schlatter would be considered an avid “reader” of the world.
The first international trip for this former hairdresser was to the Grand Canal in Venice -- a place that not only triggered tears of joy, but a love for travel that eventually inspired a new career involving it and art.
After noticing poverty in subsequent trips to India, Thailand, Mexico, Nepal and other places, she founded Art Aid for Tesfa in 2006 to bring art to the children of Ethopia. If art programs in America are the first to get cut, Schlatter figured these kids didn’t have a chance. She personally believes art is more important than math and that colorful art helps children survive in a sometimes difficult world.
“I got involved because I believed in the power of art,” Schlatter says.
In a place where less than half of the children are enrolled in schools, with girls attending even less, schools don’t start until age seven in Ethiopia. Art Aid for Tesfa teaches art to children ages four, five and six, while at the same time helps fund their early childhood education. The organization is a division of the Tesfa Foundation, which just recently became a part of Ethiopia Reads. They currently operate eight schools, with more planned, and also work with some government schools as well.
Ethiopia wasn’t Schlatter’s first choice initially, but “somebody knew somebody who knew somebody” and now six years and many trips later, she has grown to love the place and its people. There are many challenges though.
“You have to be really flexible to work in the developing world,” Schlatter says. “You can’t get too attached to any one idea.”
The country has progressed quite a bit from when Schlatter first started going there in 2006 and she says an influx of adoptions has made a vast difference.
“When people adopt from there, they also adopt Ethiopia,” she says, referring to the desire for adoptive parents to give back to the country.
While she is grateful for the recent addition of wireless Internet in her hotel there, Schlatter -- with a disclaimer that she’s not an expert in economics -- adds, “Things are improving for tourists and the wealthy, but the poor seem to be getting poorer.”
Despite the challenges, it’s the “joyful, beautiful, well-behaved kids” that inspire her to keep going back. She says the kids in the schools she’s involved in play so quietly, even during the breaks, and they understand the importance of education and value it.
“There is something so pure about a child whose never had a Game Boy and who makes their own toys out of trash,” says Schlatter.
One way Schlatter helps the children of Ethiopia is with a lively annual fundraiser here in Grand Rapids. Now in its sixth year, the event will be held this year on Nov. 9 at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center. Local African rhythm band Badenya performs at the event, interactive art demonstrations happen throughout the night and the Black Star Farms winery will sell bottles of wine with art from Ethopian children on the labels. These are only a few of the fun activities expected at this informal event where everyone is welcome.
After traveling to Ethiopia for six years, Schlatter says, “It’s hard to be at peace there without falling apart.”
She’s now learned how to protect herself emotionally from the suffering she witnesses. At first, Schlatter admits it was overwhelming and she wanted to help everyone. Now she realizes you can only help a few people at a time. And, that, she is certainly doing.
You don’t have to hop on a plane to Ethiopia to support this altruistic artist, but teachers are always needed there if you do want to go. Here are some ways you can help Stephanie Schlatter and Art Aid for Tesfa right here in West Michigan:
- Visit
Stephanie Schlatter Art or
Aid Aid for Tesfa to find out more.
- Sign up for the
newsletter.
-
Donate money toward the education of an Ethiopian child. (Art Aid is already underwritten.)
- Plan on attending the fundraiser on Nov. 9 at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center. Information will be on the website a few months before the event.
- Volunteers are needed in many ways for the fundraiser, especially outgoing artists willing to donate their talents. Please
contact Stephanie Schlatter if you’re interested in volunteering for this event or for anything else. Art framers are always needed, but there are many other ways to get involved as well.
-
Buy the art of Ethiopian children or Stephanie Schlatter’s art.
- Like Stephanie Schlatter Art on
Facebook.
- Like Art Aid for Tesfa on
Facebook.
- Follow
@sschlatt on Twitter.
- And if you want to know why Stephanie Schlatter does what she does, here’s a
good story to explain why.
Source: Stephanie Schlatter, founder of Art Aid for Tesfa
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Photos provided by Stephanie Schlatter Art.